New York in February

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Am thinking about visiting New York in February half term. Just wondering if this is sensible with regard to weather? ie is it likely to be too cold? Will be taking 2 X 8 year olds with me?

I wouldn't go then, autumn half term is perfect weather but February could easily be bitterly cold. We were there once in February and had to go into shops we had no interest in to get out of the freezing wind.

We went years ago, pre children, in Feb half term and there was a lot of snow. Flights from London were cancelled the day after we arrived. Saying that, we had a brilliant time. There were snow ploughs out dealing with it, the subway, museums and restaurants were open as usual and most of the pavements were clear enough to walk on. Central Park was beautiful, although I was really glad we took appropriate winter clothing as the wind in some parts of the city was absolutely bitter.

I went a couple of years ago in February and it was bitterly cold but we were prepared with good coats, hats etc. There was lots of snow and central park looked beautiful. The weather didn't stop us doing anything, everything was still running. The open top bus tour was pretty chilly though, especially going over Brooklyn bridge!

I went in Feb 2012 and everyone said it would be freezing. Packed my winter clothes, hats, gloves, boots and the first day we got there it was sunny! I wore my coat most of the time but it wasn't unusually cold, just the same as it gets here really.

Got back home to lots of snow though

Have been twice in Feb, but not with kids. Both times it was arctic temperatures. Even the warmest clothes we bought first time round weren't warm enough and we had to go shopping for thermals and proper gloves and hats. I have never experienced cold like it.

It was beautifully bright and sunny, but snowed heavily both times. I loved the novelty of it (Times Square in the snow!) but realistically, it would have been hard work with kids. The snow was a foot or more high both times and it made trudging around sightseeing impossible, really. It only really worked as we were a couple without kids and were happy to hole up in our hotel with a takeaway on the worst nights of snow. We also nearly missed our flight home the last time, as the roads were so dangerous our cab was driving at about 20mph!

how much cold weather gear do you and your twins already have? As others have said, NY winters are usually bitterly cold. As in, snow boots will likely be necessary. My DSil used to live there and we visited in February once. Once, never again.

Could be worse, though. You could be going to Chicago in February.

No to going there in February; average daytime temperature is only around 40 degrees F (which is around 5 degrees C). I would go later in the year, say April.

I went there in that half term with a 5 and 3 year old. We wrapped up warm, and actually bought extra hats and gloves from 21st Century. It was fine, not much colder than London, nothing like as bad as Chicago.
Other times of year are better if you have a free choice, but it's perfectly do able. Maybe you will spend more time inside but we still went to the Science Museum in New Jersey and on the Staten Island Ferry (and up the twin towers, so it was a while ago).

Chicago - you need real winter gear and snow boots, but it's beautiful, if you don 't get stuck in a snow storm, and safer than March/April when the thaw starts.

I went this Feb, and the US had a horrendous winter this year, but I still loved it. Some days were very cold but it was a dry and fresh cold with beautiful sunshine everyday. All the more excuse to have hot chocolate stops!

For comparison I have also been in late May. I probably preferred the Feb trip overall as May was very humid.